The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo will be hosting Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day, an interactive education day for the Big Island community, on Saturday, January 27. Named in honor of Colonel Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona, and lost his life in the 1986 space shuttle disaster, the event honors the astronaut's commitment to sharing knowledge about science with the community.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Astronaut Steve Hawley, a veteran of four space shuttle flights, including deployment and servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope. Dr. Hawley will speak at the UH Hilo Theatre from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This presentation is free and open to the general public.

Over 30 interactive scientific workshops will be reserved for 300 Big Island 5-12 graders, covering such topics as star gazing, measuring active volcanoes, solar powered flight, and photovoltaic array. The workshops, scheduled for the morning hours of the program, will be led by UH Hilo professors, Department of Education educators, as well as a NASA education specialist and members of the Island's scientific community. Applications to register for the workshops are available from math and science teachers at all Big Island public and private schools. Lunch will be provided for registrants, and transportation will be made available for West Hawaiʻi residents.

An interactive display area on the University's Library Lanai, featuring exhibits and demonstrations sponsored by various scientific groups and organizations of the Big Island, will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tours of the campus for parents of the participating students, as well as the general public, will commence at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in front of the UH Hilo Theatre.

For more information regarding registration for 5-12 graders in the workshops, please contact math or science teachers at any public or private school on the Big Island.

For general information, please call the Office of University Relations at 974-7642 or 974-7501.